The Four Seasons of Fredericksburg

Herb Farm is not your average B&B

Published 5:30 am, Sunday, May 15, 2011

Fredericksburg Herb Farm features an all-natural spa and a garden-to-table restaurant.

Fredericksburg Herb Farm features an all-natural spa and a garden-to-table restaurant.

Photo: Fredericksburg Herb Farm

The Four Seasons of Fredericksburg

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I can't stand B&Bs and country cottages for one simple reason: The inside always looks like someone let their grandmother loose with a roll of floral fabric and a Hobby Lobby catalog. You know what I'm talking about — pastel quilts, fake flowers, crocheted pillows and potpourri pots. On a recent search for a place to stay in Fredericksburg, this type of stereotypical B&B was all I found.

Then, I called Rosemary Estenson, owner of the Fredericksburg Herb Farm, who informed me that she had expanded the property to include 14 cottages, a garden-to-table restaurant and an all-natural spa. Admittedly, I was initially pessimistic. But after checking out the website, I could tell the décor was pleasant and minimal.

After the five-hour drive north to Fredericksburg, I found my low expectations to be almost embarrassing. This place was like the Four Seasons of B&Bs. Evidently Southern Living magazine concurred, naming the Fredericksburg Herb Farm one of the best Hill Country destinations of 2011.

My little cottage was beautifully appointed with rocking chairs on the patio, a few antiques mixed with modern pieces, a lovely headboard, a flat-screen TV, a shower with a stone reflexology floor, delicious herbal bath products and free Wi-Fi. Oh, and the bed was made with hand-ironed sheets and was more comfortable than the beds I've tried at the Four Seasons, Peninsula and Ritz-Carlton. Getting out of this heavenly cloud would have been difficult if I didn't know that the most delicious homemade cinnamon roll was waiting for me in my mailbox outside on Saturday morning.

We all know that visiting Fredericksburg usually is more about strolling the town than staying in your hotel. But in this case, I found myself perfectly content to spend a day tucked in the hideaway. The herb garden was almost in full bloom and offered the perfect place to curl up with a book in the morning and enjoy a good girls' conversation over a bottle of wine at sunset. I spent an hour sniffing all of the different herbal soaps, lotions and perfumes they make on the property. If you're a Jo Malone and Kai fan like I am, you'll find this place offers your favorite scents for a fraction of the price.

Of course they use the same products in the spa, which is surprisingly extraordinary as well. They offer what I would call intuitive services that consider what your body needs, not what you've had in the past. The Thai massage involved Mateo (the spa director) rubbing insertion points, stretching out my limbs and walking on my back. It wasn't always pleasant, but I needed it. The herbal pedicure was unique in that they used warm herbal wraps instead of water to moisten my skin while I sat in one of the most comfortable chairs I've ever had the pleasure of sinking into.

Last but not least is the restaurant, where chef Asa Thornton (formerly of the famed Barton Creek Resort & Spa) makes all of the bread, smokes and cures all of the meat and prepares a variety of flavorful dishes daily. The menu is notably meat heavy, but he's accommodating to everyone. Just let him know how to work with your palate.

Bottom line: Fredericksburg Herb Farm exceeded my expectations, and I have no doubt you'll fall in love with it, too. Head to this hideaway for the weekend for much-needed R&R and indulgence.